PHOTOS: Mold, Faulty Wiring, and Silence: Jacksonville Tenants Left at Risk Across Several Properties

JACKSONVILLE, Texas (TXAN 24) — A group of recent high school graduates in Jacksonville, Texas say they were misled into moving into an apartment with mold and potentially unsafe living conditions — and when they raised concerns, their landlord told them to “just open the windows.”

One tenant, of Live Oak Apartments, who asked not to be named, reached out to TXAN 24 News after noticing mold growing in the unit shortly after moving in.

The landlord’s response?

Bleach it and air out the apartment.

“She didn’t let us know about any of this before we moved in,” the tenant said. “We asked to be moved to another unit or get our money back, but she said no — and told us to just do what she said, and we’d be fine.”

Neighbors in the complex report similar issues, with some keeping their windows open “24/7” just to breathe comfortably indoors. TXAN has also learned the unit may contain faulty wiring in the AC closet — reportedly sealed using foam spray, a method that raises fire safety concerns.

In response to the series of apartment health code complaints—across several properties in the city, TXAN is seeking answers from Jacksonville City Officials on the following:

• What is the city’s policy for addressing tenant complaints about mold or unsafe housing?

• Has this apartment complex been inspected for code compliance recently?

• What are the consequences for landlords who lease out unsafe or undisclosed hazardous units?

• Are there protections in place for young renters, especially those under 18 or just graduating?

• Is using foam spray to patch around wiring a code violation?

• How can residents access public records of property violations?

• What steps will the city take to ensure tenant safety moving forward?

TXAN 24 News will continue to monitor this story and update the public as city officials respond.